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REMEMBERING BILL HERBERT
March 29, 1947 - July 13, 1995
by
Graham Pugh
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Not long ago I learned that Classmate Bill Herbert spent
his final days in Duncan, Oklahoma, a small town not far from
where I live. It so happens that my wife's cousin lives there
and for one reason or another, I've had the occasion to visit
there many times! After a few days of research, I was able to
locate Bill's daughter Laura who still lives in Duncan. Over the
course of several telephone conversations, she was happy to
share Bill's story with me .
In late September, my wife and I went for a Sunday drive and
visited Bill’s final resting place. Somewhere along the Oklahoma
countryside west of Duncan and seemingly miles from nowhere, we
found Rock Creek Cemetery - a peaceful and dignified place
worthy of our friend and classmate.
I have not been
able to meet with Bill's family but hope to do so in the near
future.
Special thanks to Bill's daughter Laura, Terry
Dunn and Fred Svarney who provided information for this article.
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Born in Allentown,
Pennsylvania, Bill’s family moved to Fort Lauderdale in
the mid 1950’s. Along with his brother, John, and sister
Lynn, they lived in a neighborhood just north of Peters
Road and west of State Road 7. Bill attended Sunset
Elementary and Parkway Junior High.
At Stranahan, Bill was active
in Student Council and belonged to several student
organizations, including Junior Exchange, Hi-Y and Pep
Club. Many of us remember him as an outstanding member
of “The Jolly Green Giants” defensive unit of our
football team. Teammate Terry Dunn remembers Bill as a
gifted athlete who was hard-working and hard-hitting!
Bill’s prowess on the field earned him the Key Club
Defensive Player of the Year award. He also shared
honors with Fred Svarney as Team Captain.
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Bill and teammate Terry Dunn were both awarded scholarships to
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma and while
there shared the same dormitory.
It wasn’t long before Bill met Yolanda Goss. They were
soon married and later William Herbert IV was born.
Bill spent two years in Oklahoma then attended Central
Missouri State College, graduating with a degree in criminal
justice. Upon
graduation he went to work as an agent for the Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. During this period, his daughter
Laura was born.
Bill's assignments took him to St. Louis, Missouri and New
Orleans, Louisiana. He continued his education, eventually
earning a master’s degree in criminal justice from George
Washington University.
In 1984 while living in
Louisiana, Bill was diagnosed with primary brain cancer. He had
few choices and after 16 years of service, retired from the ATF.
He was treated with radiation and surgery and was in remission
for 5 years. During
this period, classmates helped bring him to Fort Lauderdale to
attend our 25 Year reunion at the Bonaventure Hotel.
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Wedding Day 1967 |
Bill eventually needed
another surgery and during recovery suffered a stroke. His
condition deteriorated and full-time care was needed. Two years
later, the family moved to Duncan, Oklahoma where Yolanda's
family would help take care of him.
Surrounded by family and friends, Bill passed peacefully
away at home on July 13, 1995. He was laid to rest in a
small country cemetery just west of Duncan, Oklahoma.
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